Courtois: Chelsea are favourites

Thibaut Courtois believes Chelsea should be considered favourites for the Champions League tie with Atletico Madrid.

Marca reports that Courtois has told UEFA’s website that Chelsea, his parent club, are favourites over Atletico, the club at which he has been on loan for the past three years.

Courtois added that he is satisfied he can play after reports Atletico would leave out the goalkeeper due to clauses in the loan agreement or an arrangement between the clubs.

“Hopefully Atleti get to the final because we are so close,” the Belgium international said.

“They are favourites, but then so were Barcelona.

“I’m at Atletico but Chelsea is my team. It’s best not to think about it too much and play as usual.

“If you think you have to be careful, in the end you’ll play badly.

“I want to win titles here and in these two games I will be Atletico, but for others I’m Chelsea.

“Hopefully they win the Premier League, but not these two games.”

Courtois added that he has been taken aback by Atletico’s success.

“I didn’t expect this. I didn’t dream of playing in a big team or winning trophies like these,” he revealed.

“Now we are near the most important, the Champions League!

“And we still have the League, with Barcelona and Real Madrid, I never thought I’d win it.

“They have better players but we have a very good team and that’s important because we don’t need the help of a particular player to be champions.

“Diego Simeone is much to blame for our success. You can return to the team after five weeks out and know exactly what to do because the organisation doesn’t change.

“We know what to do in each game.

“It will be difficult to repeat this season so since we’re here, we have to make the most of it.

“If we end up with nothing, it will be tough, but it won’t be because we haven’t given 100%.”

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